Rumi: Whirling Dervish

by Demi

Born in Afghanistan in the thirteenth century, Rumi settled in Turkey and became a great mystical poet. From a holy man, Shamsuddin, Rumi learned to listen for the sacred sound of God within himself. When his creative spirit was awakned, he recited more than 5, rhymed couplets. He also wrote about the love that resides in the soul of everyone, regardless of religion or background. He founded the order of the whirling dervishes, who believed their spinning dances put them in touch with God and brought peace and love into the world. To honor the 8th anniversary of his birth, the United Nations declared 27 The Year of Mawlana Jalaladdin Rumi.

Genres: Poetry, Biography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Religion, Biography Memoir

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Demi (September 2, 1942) born Charlotte Dumaresq Hunt, is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. During her career she has published over 300 titles.

Demi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is the great-grand daughter of the American painter William Morris Hunt, and the great-grand niece of architect Richard Morris Hunt. Demi earned her nickname as a young child when her father started calling her demi because she was half the size of her sister.

She studied art at Instituto Allende, Mexico, and with Sister Corita at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. She was a Fulbright scholar at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India where she received her Master’s degree.

Demi is known for her biographies for spiritual figures including Buddha, Krishna, Lao Tzu, Jesus, Mary (mother of Jesus), Muhammad, Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama.

In 1990, Demi and her husband Tze-si “Jesse” Huang represented the United States at the First Children’s International Book Conference in Beijing.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Sonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demi
does
Rumi,
Yes!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting biography of Rumi - I was glad to learn a bit more about him. And this book is beautifully illustrated.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated in Demi's intricate style and patterns, Rumi (1207-1273), is described as a scholar and seeker of spiritual wisdom. He wrote numerous poems and stories. One day, thinking about his teacher Shams, he heart a beat and began spinning to it. His mystical poetry and whirling dance show his love of God turns forever.

[Debra Golden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for all ages even though it's a children's book. Demi's illustrations are detailed and glorious. Good short biography of Rumi the poet with an explanation of how whirling dervishes began. It's accessible to many ages and useful in sharing stories of Islam, acceptance of others, and some short samples of Rumi's poetry.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this subject, for me as an adult, was fascinating, and the illustrations lovely and perfect for the biography of Rumi. I have difficulty seeing this book of interest to most young children of picture book age.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting resource about life, poetry, enlightenment, theology, and backstory of the whirling dervishes of the middle east.

Beautifully illustrated, middle grade reading level, perfect exploration of diversity in theological beliefs and Persian culture!

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew little about Rumi and I feel as if I know less now. I am still somewhat interested in learning more, but my inner child is made completely dis-interested by this book. I can't even say that I like the pictures, despite them being by Demi.

[Peggah Ghoreishi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few inaccuracies. The illustrations were nice, but I didn't care much for the information in the book.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can one ever know enough about the life and words of Rumi??

[Sqaxsash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. General, simple and to the point.
Great selection of Rumi's poems or lines.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO beautiful, and true to the spiritual history and tradition. Highly recommended.

[Baroness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable bedtime story.

[Cristian Marrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great simple read to appreciate who Rumi was and remains.

[Mbai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Kylie]

This book is super cool. I didn’t know much about Rumi before. I liked it.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profoundly Beautiful

[SLQB]

Not SLQB. Very long.

The problem w these Rumi picture book biographies is they state the mystical aspects of his life as facts.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi continues to explore prominent religious figures; in her latest book she offers a lush, visual description of Rumi, the famous Sufi teacher, poet and mystic. This book will appeal to readers of all ages. Demi keeps the description of Rumi’s childhood, work as a teacher and rise to religious esteem simple. Older readers will appreciate Rumi’s poetic gift and singular pursuit of spiritual closeness to God. Rumi discovered that whirling helped him reach a higher spiritual plane. Demi quotes Rumi poetry to great effect, “We came whirling out of nothingness scattering stars like dust. The stars made a circle and in the middle we dance.” And “Love calls – everywhere and always. We’re sky bound. Are you coming?”

The reader finds whirling imagery or implied motion in nearly every illustration from the cluster of whirling dervishes on the end leaf pages to illustrations featuring Rumi spinning or angels descending gracefully to awaken his creativity. Demi frames each illustration with a simple shiny gold frame; her use of native Turkish patterns in clothing, and building walls are made all the more vivid by flat colorful backgrounds. Native animals – camels, birds, horses and fish – bring additional visual interest to each panel. On every page use of shiny gold leaf immediately draws the eye – to camel saddles, window frames, robe linings, ship flags, angel mist and minaret decoration. This artistic choice effectively reflects Rumi’s revered status.

In an opening note Rumi scholar, Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, reminds the reader that 2007 marked the 800th anniversary of Rumi’s birth. In honoring this teacher-poet’s memory we celebrate his belief that God’s love rests in everyone and everything; we recognize that Rumi’s wisdom “speaks to the hearts of many people in many lands and people of different faiths.” In the endnote Demi offers further description of the whirling dervish state of prayer, the importance of hand position, direction and sequence. “They have faith that their turning will bring peace and love into the world.” Choose this highly recommended title for any collection.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rumi became a popular poet to quote ("Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there") but there wasn't much information about him. In this children's and YA book, adults and their children (or grandchildren) can be entertained and learn from this beautifully illustrated book by Demi, who has done dozens of other children's book.

Rumi was a 13th-century Sufi Muslim, born in Afghanistan and forced to flee to Turkey when Genghis Khan invaded Afghanistan. He married and became a scholar, but his learning didn't fill his heart. When he was in his late 30s, Rumi met his teacher, Shamsuddin, a teacher with great intuition. Shams (as Rumi called him) taught Rumi to meditate, to awaken his spirit to all things. . . and then Shams vanished.

Rumi worked on ways to keep his awakening alive. As a way of comforting himself, he began to spin in cirlces around a pillar. The spinning induced a peaceful, mystical trance. He taught the method of transcending to others, who became known as whirling dervishes.

The story is beautifully illustrated in Eastern-style illustrations with meticulous color detail and gilding. The illustrations are also pared down and somehow modern. The book is lavishly illustrated and includes many Rumi-written poems.

Demi, the author and illustrator, created an information, cheerful, interesting book for all ages.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated and well-done biography of the Sufi mystic poet Jalaluddin Rumi, more commonly referred to by his last name, which was really more like Da Vinci's name (aka Rumi or the man from Rum). A word on the illustration first, as that was originally what drew me to the book. As Demi explains on the inside flap of the book, the book is based off Turkish minatures and is done with "Turkish and Chinese inks and gold overlays," and book was inspired by a trip to Turkey that she took with her son and Turkish daughter-in-law. I also really happen to be fascinated with Sufi poets (as their main message is about love),so I figured this book would be a good introduction to Rumi and his poems, and it was indeed. Although this book would be best for older elementary school children and early middle schoolers, I thought it was complex enough for adults to get a basic idea about the poet/teacher as it included samples of his poetry, including some of the "Mathnavi" and the "Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrizi."

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rumi was a 13th century poet who wrote in Ancient Persian. He was born in the Afghan area and hoards of Mongols with Genghis Khan drove his family and others to live in parts of what is now Turkey. Rumi studied the Koran and a great teacher, Shamsuddin took him under his wing and eventually Rumi became a teacher as well. Rumi celebrated his religion in mystic poems of great beauty and began to dance to them as a celebration of the religion. After he died, his son continued the dance tradition and the men who performed the dance were called Whirling Dervishes. Rumi's poems are still regarded today as some of the greatest ever written and the year 2007 was declared the Year of Rumi by the United Nations. Demi of course does a great job as always in writing her picture book biographies and this one is wonderful. I didn't really know Rumi and I downloaded some books on my Kindle for free. I am very interested in reading this poet.

[Willow Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! The art is wonderful and matches the text so well. Demi states in the beginning of the book that the art was inspired by eastern culture of the thirteenth century. She painted it with Turkish and Chinese inks and golden overlays.

The biography is accessible, although it still might be difficult to grasp the scope of Rumi's life and work for very young children.

I came across this book by chance. I was in the children's section of our local library when it caught my eye. Something about the cover made me pull it off the shelf and put it in the stack of books that I was checking out. Very glad I stumbled upon it. This is exactly the type of book I would have liked when I was young. I guess I've always been drawn to detailed illustrations.

[Candice M (tinylibrarian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures in this book are stunning and the story is interesting, but I'm not sure how well it works as a children's book in a practical sense (ie I would not use it in a story time setting because the pictures are too small/detailed for even a medium sized audience to see.) However, it would make a very nice gift book for maybe a 4th-6th grader, especially one who was interested in poetry and/or Persian culture.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with fine details and gold touches that give an superb introduction to the quality of this kind of art. Excellent and interesting introduction to the poet Rumi, who founded the whirling dervishes. Enough detail to keep adults interested, but yet not so much that it overwhelms the younger readers.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books where I wish I could give extra stars! The art is absolutely superb; Demi notes that she used authentic Turkish and Chinese inks and gold overlays. This is not to take away from the writing, which includes samples of Rumi's poetry and a remarkably complete telling of his life story in a short children's book.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen for the sound of Heaven, emptying the mind of all thought.

When we are with someone to whom we cannot confide our secrets, we are like prisoners in chains.

His poems were about love and mercy as the purpose of the universe.

Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets and the moon sets but they are not gone. Death is a coming together.

[F. Zahra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, and beautifully illustrated - although one has to keep in mind that this is a rather inauthentic portrayal of Hz. Mevlana Rumi's teachings, and rather portrays widespread misnomers common to western New-Age type spiritualists.

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi is one of my FAVORITE authors!

[Carola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and very accessible biography

[Michelle Brandstetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating little read! Learning where the term Whirling Dervish comes from is very interesting indeed.